Army JROTC Program

The Hopewell High School Army JROTC Program was established in the 1993-1994 school year. The program initially started with 75 cadets and has grown to over 150 cadets in its ninth year of existence.  In this period of time, the Blue Devil Battalion has achieved great heights, including Honor Unit Awards for the last eight consecutive years and Honor Unit With Distinction for last five years. LTC McKayhan arrived in Hopewell in 2004 and 1SG Cabrera arrived in 2005. They are currently the Senior Army Instructor and the Army Instructor.

The Army JROTC mission is: "To Motivate Young People To Be Better Citizens." The course carries a full elective credit, with the option of taking Leadership Lab as another elective credit.  The JROTC curriculum includes: Character and Leadership Development, Foundations of Success, Leadership Theory and Application, Citizenship and American History, Wellness, Fitness and First Aid, Geography and Earth Science, Financial Management and Service Learning. While there are no military requirement following completion of Army JROTC, cadets who complete three or more years of the JROTC Program may enter the military at an advanced rank.

The cadet battalion is organized into two companies, A and B, each containing two platoons with four squads. The battalion headquarters includes the battalion commander, executive officer, adjutant (personal), operation and training, supply, public affairs officers, and the command sergeant major.

JROTC Leadership Lab allows cadets to be apart of special competitive teams such as: Color Guard, Armed and Unarmed Drill Teams, and Raiders.  Cadets are able to join these special teams for an additional credit if it does not interfere with their academic schedule.  This encourages practical application by giving cadets the opportunity to lead their special teams and manage many aspects of the JROTC program.